Nearby Theaters

In 1920’s the Ritz Theater, a single-screen neighborhood movie house, was an anchor to the small 13th Avenue commercial strip in northeast Minneapolis.

Vacant for many years, the building was sold to the Ballet of the Dolls dance/theater group, which now calls the Ritz home. The interior is not significant other than an unsual ‘wave’ proscenium wall. The most notable feature is the large marquee over the sidewalk that features neon ‘curls’ and the name RITZ spelled out in large letters.

The Ballet of the Dolls was awarded a $500,000 grant by the McKight Foundation for the redevelopment of the theater. They continued to fundraise while they were housed in an industrial building nearby known as the Dance Factory. On May 12, 2006, they moved back into the re-opened and renovated Ritz Theater.